Nov. 1, 2008
Final Stats
San Luis Obispo, CA --- Cal Poly rushed for six touchdowns and 459 yards, the most allowed by the Bengals in eight years, as the #3 Mustangs defeated Idaho State 49-10 on a rainy night at Spanos Stadium.
The loss runs Idaho State's losing streak to 13, tying the second-longest streak in school history, equaling a 13-game losing streak from 1987-89. Cal Poly got on the board on their first drive, needing just four plays and 42 yards as James Noble scored on a 15-yard run less then three minutes into the game. The Mustangs added onto that near the end of the quarter on a Jordan Yocum 39-yard run.
Idaho State answered early in the second, as Russel Hill led a nice eight-play, 76-yard drive, capped by a Clint Knickrehm run from a yard out, but the Mustangs got that score right back when Ryan Mole scored the first of his two second quarter touchdowns at the end of an 11-play, 80-yard drive that was aided by an offsides penalty on 4th-and-two.
Down 28-7 at the half, Cal Poly added to their lead in the third quarter with another long Yocum run, and a 27-yard Ramses Barden touchdown catch, which gave him a touchdown catch in 16-straight games, one short of Jerry Rice's NCAA record.
The Bengals, as is their custom, never did quit, and ISU recovered a fumble after a 56-yard Jon Vanderwielen punt, only the fifth turnover all season by the Mustangs. However, the Bengals could only get a 23-yard Mike Ramos field goal out of the deal.
The Mustangs continued to score in the fourth, getting a 71-yard run by Mole for his third rushing touchdown to close out the scoring.
The Bengals, who allowed 687 total yards to the Mustangs last year (including 453 passing) got hurt by Cal Poly's punishing option, allowing 459 yards on the day. That total was the most since Southern Utah rushed for 679 yards on October 21, 2000, a 62-24 Thunderbird win. All told, the Mustangs picked up 557 yards of total offense.
Russel Hill was fairly efficient, throwing for 173 yards on 18-of-27 passing. However, for the third straight road game he was held without a touchdown pass, and for the third straight road game, ISU could only muster one touchdown in the game. Idaho State now returns home to face nationally-ranked Weber State, who won 31-21 over Portland State, meaning the Wildcats will be playing for the Big Sky's berth in the NCAA FCS playoffs.
NOTES: Isaiah Burel recorded a career-high 11 catches and 110 yards receiving ... Kyle Blum entered the game as a wide receiver in the fourth quarter, and threw a double pass to Jaron Taylor for a 37-yard completion ... Ryan Phipps led the Bengals with nine tackles ... D.J. Clark held Ramses Barden to just four catches and 77 yards ... Indiana State lost 34-7 to North Dakota State to lose their 23rd straight.
